GECOM is dead with respect to functional transparency (Part 2)

Dear Editor,
There are still serious allegations involving the spending of more than one hundred million dollars in the purchasing of materials that were not used in the 2015 and 2016 Elections. Many serious pending issues include:
* Several senior staff members are still at the GECOM Office ‘liming’ and collecting ‘fat’ salaries.
* The fact that inside confidential sources are calling on the Auditor General’s Office to expose the millions of dollars that were paid out to phantom workers.
* That not only are there reports of discriminated employment of persons to work at GECOM, but the ‘pay sheets’ are heavily padded with names of families and friends.
The public is calling on the GECOM Commissioners to get rid of those at the Secretariat including Chief Election Officer Keith Lowenfield; the Manager of Administration and Support Services, Michelle Ward; and Chief Accountant Joseph Eastman, who were allegedly involved in the financial and procurement irregularities at the election management body.
For the 2018 fiscal year, Parliament has approved $192.8 million on Capital Works, and it is hoped that the money would be properly utilized. Overall, $2 billion were approved for GECOM, and the administration is also expected to explain what it would do with the millions of dollars unspent for 2017.
It is of note that allocations include $21 million for the upgrade of the IT Office, and a further $7.2million for the purchase of 40 desktop computers to replace the current system in Region #4. Inside sources are questioning the purchase of these computers and the development of the IT Office, which did not function during the 2015 General and Regional Elections and 2016 Local Government Elections.
Much more will be written of GECOM spending and pilfering. Guyanese at home and in the diaspora have recognized and are already condemning ‘rigged elections’ approaches touted and implied by Granger’s attitude. The mere actions of this Government are synonymous with deep-seated fraudulent intent for the upcoming 2020 Elections. All must be alerted to guard against any of the beckoning dirty signals. Further, institutional arrangements must be put in place, and the many local and international organizations must be fully alerted and be ready to overlook in ensuring free and fair elections in Guyana.
It is very clear that the litigation process was deliberately orchestrated by the APNU/AFC so as to create confusion and frustrate the work of GECOM. Guyanese must prepare to stand up and fight against ‘rigged elections’.

Sincerely,
Neil Kumar